Message from the Director

Welcome to Autism Delaware – an organization dedicated to advocacy and service for those affected by autism here in the First State.

This website was created to offer an easy-to-navigate, online resource for information about autism, resources for families in Delaware and to provide more information about the services, supports and events we offer throughout the state. You’ll find a downloadable version of our parent resource directory, guidance for those newly diagnosed in Delaware, access to parent mentors, information about our nationally recognized adult vocational services, and a great deal more.

If you are visiting our site, you are probably aware that autism is a rapidly rising concern throughout the country – and in fact around the world. In 2014 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their prevalence statistics to indicate that 1 in every 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder.

In Delaware, we are not immune to this trend. In 1991 Delaware’s public schools had 152 children with an educational classification of autism. In 2013 that number was 1,298. That’s a 754% increase over 22 years.

This tidal wave of autism, coupled with the unique and often complex needs of those affected, means that we have a great deal of work ahead of us at Autism Delaware. We hope that you will join us in that work, and in our mission to create better lives for all those affected by autism throughout Delaware.